85 Comments on this post:

By:Rasputin72 on 4/13/12 at 2:51

Jim Cooper does not represent very many of my views about society and the future direction of American society. What he has done quite well is to examine the voting records of the Supreme court members both while on the court and before their nomination and acceptance to the court.

On that basis I believe that Jim Cooper has correctly called the acceptance of free health care for the 47% of Americans who do not pay any federal income tax.

If the world thinks little Greece is a problem for the world economy just waiit about 25 to 30 years and watch the economic explosion of this country. The income from the taxation of the productive class will not equal to the outgo to the non-productive class.

This is what has happened to every democracy since the word was invented.

By:BenDover on 4/13/12 at 3:05

Why is everyone so shocked that the conservative justices might wish to uphold the Constitution?

By:BenDover on 4/13/12 at 3:07

This is just artillery fire to offer the dems who passed this monstrosity cover if the court does rightly shoot it down.

By:Ummm... on 4/13/12 at 5:28

I've seen the light, and am converting to Teapublicanism! So, with regard to health care:

All you folks with pre-existing conditions- tough, hate it for you.
Can't afford health insurance? Then you don't deserve any health care- don't come crying to me.
So what if you uninsured folks keep showing up at emergency rooms and stiffing them for the highest cost health care there is? I'll just pretend it isn't driving costs through the roof for the rest of us paying customers.
In short, I've got mine, so screw the rest of you.

By:Loner on 4/13/12 at 6:05

Good morning, Nashville.

I read Rep. Cooper's comments; he is optimistic but also realistic....the PP ACA (Obamacare) is in danger...apparently, these right-wing activist judges are about to usurp the power of the Legislative and Executive Branches of the federal government....the right-wing SCOTUS activists are not "conservative" at all...they are radical extremists who are re-translating and re-interpreting the US Constitution in a business-friendly manner....this activist court was foisted upon the American Public as a family legacy from the Bush family....enjoy!

By:govskeptic on 4/13/12 at 6:11

I hope the supporters have the job and extra income to pay for the
Obama care once it's fully implemented. It's already been established
those with pre-existing conditions will have to personally pay around
$13-15 thousand dollars per yr in 2014 when this kicks in for adults.
Most will have to continue without!

With disposable income falling and gasoline and many other necessities
raising in cost, it sure looks rather bleak for most Tennesseans! That is,
the ones that actually work and make anything between 25-75K per year!
Obama 2012: "Expect Less-Pay More."

By:dargent7 on 4/13/12 at 6:14

Upwards of 40 million Americans die each year due to having no health insurance.
The intellectual giants in the Republican party say, "Use the ER room...that's what it's for".
Sure, if your appendix bursts. Or, you break your arm or leg. But for preventative care? Kid's got a sore throat. Swollen glands. Want to pay $500. for a Drs. visit and get 2 asprin and a bottle of water? A fever that doesn't break. Pnenumonia.
People get billed, cannot pay, and the Hospital absorbs it, passing the costs onto all of us.
How about chronic care: cancers, chemo, dialysis, diabetes II.
Prostate surgery, kidney, gall bladder, heart. Those operations cost $10,000.
Lon Cheney's new heart probably cost taxpayers $500,000. after the rebate for his pumps, valves, pulleys.
I always wonder when on tv after a horrible accident they say, "Life flight to Vanderbilt".
That helicopter flight alone is $1,500. The ER Drs. operate to save the victim, but what if they have no insurance?

By:dargent7 on 4/13/12 at 6:15

s/h/b: "40,000 die...40 million have no insurance".

By:BenDover on 4/13/12 at 6:20

That's ridiculous Ummm. Everyone agrees we have a problem. We just don't agree that a 2700 page top down federal bureaucracy empowering nightmare is the right means to the end. Sure... set up a taxpayer funded federal risk pool for everyone to cover the possibility of someone losing their insurance and having a pre-existing condition that prevents them from getting private coverage. That's 10 pages and could be administered under existing medicare programs.

When the mandate for private companies to cover pre-existing conditions kicks in on Obamacare we will cease to have private insurance anymore in this country. Additionally the op-out and pay the fine provision of employers under the law will result in the long standing covenant between employer and employee relating to health care going away. Most people don't have the time or the savvy to shop for insurance products that are comparable to what their employer can find and certainly don't have the collective buying leverage that the employer does. Combine that with what would have been the employer portion of insurance paid for the employee going to Uncle Sam instead of highly subsidizing their employee's insurance and it puts us on a nasty trajectory toward an ugly USSR-esque single payer system.

Then come all the caps and mandates that always come to such bureaucratic boondoggles when the prices soar out of control and the utopia promised by the central planners doesn't arise. Then the calls to 'DO SOMETHING!' come in right on schedule... music to the ears of the nationalistic anti-capital control nuts who will use their own failure as the reason to quash what is left of freedom in our society.

You guys really should expand your reading list to include some Hayek and von Mises and Milton Friedman to balance out your overdose in the likes of Keynes and [gag] Krugman.

By:treehugger7 on 4/13/12 at 6:37

No point reading economists who are wrong!! As a tennessean might say: bless your hearts, Krugmamn and Keynes! There are a few reasonable economists left!!

By:BenDover on 4/13/12 at 6:38

No... forget all of that. Republicans are meanies.

By:Kosh III on 4/13/12 at 6:42

This act is overdone and over-complicated and will be an expensive gift to blue Cross and others who are now guaranteed customers. And there are still folks who will be without.

We should take the simple, efficient and most COST-EFFECTIVE route: single-payer. Abolish VA Health Care, Medicaid, and any other government program now in effect. Put everyone under an enhanced Medicare program which provides complete coverage for ALL citizens.
We'd save lives, be healthier and save money.]

At least Keynes said that during the recoveries we should pay back the deficits incurred during the down-times. He failed to recognize that there can never be any political will to do so in our society though.

As for 'wrong' treehugger, methinks you measure right and wrong based on what you find most agreeable. This populist attitude is the slippery slope about which de Tocqueville often warned.

By:treehugger7 on 4/13/12 at 6:46

Amen, Kosh--well put. However, I don't see the that happening. That is just too reasonable for the repugs to swallow. It is obviously the best way to solve the problem.

By:Rasputin72 on 4/13/12 at 6:47

Did I hear that 40,000 people a year die because they have no health insurance? How many of those 40,000 people were recipients of welfare and food stamps?

I am sure this data is not available but it sure would be interesting to know as academic fodder.

I am not so sure that a great many (perhaps even the majority of our 8% unemployed ) are really just plain unemployable.

I would guess that the real problem in this country are those that work for sub-standard wages. These are the people I want to save. There will always be underclass in every country.
There are not many things that I am sure of these days but Obmaa Care and an Obama re-election I am sure of .

Far too many people out there that are envious of the material wealth of the productive class and an even greater number of people whose only chance in life is "government assistance."

This is what democracy always faces.

By:BenDover on 4/13/12 at 6:50

I personally don't think the government can out-perform the market, Kosh. And such a system certainly will not drive the advancements in treatments and medicines our for-profit market has driven; and upon which we and the rest of the price-controlled world are so dependent.

You already have doctors limiting their medicare exposure and congress every year has to pass huge funding advancements over what medicare takes in to keep the pool of medicare doctors they have.

By:BenDover on 4/13/12 at 6:54

Obamcare will be the monster that eats what is left of our society.

By:Captain Nemo on 4/13/12 at 6:54

A poor hard working family man comes up to Jesus and asks for his help heal him and his family. With a sympathy reply Jesus says, “Sorry I can not heal you because of a pre-existing condition.”

By:Captain Nemo on 4/13/12 at 7:01

By: BenDover on 4/13/12 at 7:38
No... forget all of that. Republicans are meanies.

Ben see the light!!

By:Captain Nemo on 4/13/12 at 7:05

What we have here is Republican Birth Control. Let then die!

By:Captain Nemo on 4/13/12 at 7:07

Thousands die each year in US because they lack health insurance

More than 18,000 Americans die every year solely because they cannot afford private health care insurance. This is the finding of a new study entitled “Care without coverage: Too little, too late,” which compares the health of insured and uninsured adults in the US, where 30 million—or one out of every seven—working-age people lack health care coverage.

The study, conducted by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), a private organization affiliated with the National Academy of Sciences, paints a chilling picture of the consequences of America’s for-profit health care system. More than 40 million people, including nearly 10 million children, have no health insurance, and the number continues to grow at a pace of about 1 million each year.

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2002/may2002/ins-m25.shtml

By:Captain Nemo on 4/13/12 at 7:13

By: BenDover on 4/13/12 at 7:54
Obamcare will be the monster that eats what is left of our society.

Ben has succumbed to the Gordonsville half-wit sin’drone (sic).

By:dargent7 on 4/13/12 at 7:29

What does receiving Foodstamps, ADC, welfare, unemployment have to do with being uninsured?
In today's societal climate, people of all ages are being laid off, downsized, or fired.
Their COBRA will run out and if they have a "pre-existing condition" no one will insure them.
And who among us over 35 doesn't have something physically wrong with them?
Republicans would rather "Free the Iraqi people" thru an expensive war, than save Americans right here at home.

By:Captain Nemo on 4/13/12 at 7:31

I thank you bud old girl, you pointed out that I made two yogis’ yesterdays

By: Captain Nemo on 4/12/12 at 9:30
No bud I don’t have the hot's for you. I am diseased free think you and tent to stay that way.

By: budlight on 4/12/12 at 9:44
Too much sauce? Or not enough education?
You must be from the south cause (sic) you can't spell!

However before you start ridiculing me about my misspellings and grammar you should take care of your own.

By: budlight on 4/12/12 at 8:58
“I would rather our money Goe (sic) to corporations that are hiring millions of people.”

I think it would have a lot more bit if you were not on the sauces or with out enough education. Indeed you must be from the south cause (sic) you can’t spell.

Oh BTW at less I spelled the words correctly, I just did not use the words properly. We can’t say the same for you…Goe(sic), instead of go.

So I will repost.

No bud I don’t have the hot's for you. I am diseased free Thank you and I Intend to stay that way.

Now go rotate yourself.

By:yogiman on 4/13/12 at 7:46

Jim Cooper is an obvious Democrat who has sided with Barry Soetoro (a.k.a. Barack Obama) all the way in Barry's takeover.

So what happens if the The SC accepts his Obamacare [that no one has read] and he is then proven to be as illegal as Vladimer Puton for that office?

One hell of a history is being made today.

By:Moonglow1 on 4/13/12 at 7:47

Moonglow1: The "Individual Mandate" originated with Republicans at the Heritage Foundation. So I am surprised our Republican friends are against the Affordable Health Care Act. The Supreme Court in all it's right wing wisdom should seek to uphold the Affordable Health Care Act.

We need a public option but Obama needed to start somewhere. Actually it was quite brilliant of him to make a Republican idea his own.

My idea to curb healthcare costs includes placing TN bubba's on a diet of spring water and kale with daily excerise. All this talk about the high costs but no talk about individual responsibility and preventive care.

Bubba's want us to pay for their heart attacks, clogged arteries, cancer of the lungs, and diabetes while they drink, smoke, watch TV, and gorge themselves with junk food. Why should my insurance rates go up to pay for these sick Bubbas.

By:Captain Nemo on 4/13/12 at 7:47

You are correct Ben the government can not out performer the market. The market runs under a dictatorship and the government runs under a democracy.

By:Captain Nemo on 4/13/12 at 7:52

Good points Moonglow. As long as it is happening to someone else it is government waste, but he moment it happens to bubba….where is the government….NOW!

By:Moonglow1 on 4/13/12 at 8:09

Moonglow1: Thanks Captain.

The tea's and the bubba's always rail against the gov't but they are the first in line for a hand out!!

By:brrrrk on 4/13/12 at 9:13

"The history lesson

In July, 1798, Congress passed, and President John Adams signed into law “An Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen,” authorizing the creation of a marine hospital service, and mandating privately employed sailors to purchase healthcare insurance."

Damned commie... what the hell does John Adams know about the constitution?

Let's not forget the original GW..... George Washington, who passed the Militia Act of 1792.

The act mandated that....

"each and every free able-bodied white male citizen of the respective States, resident therein, who is or shall be of age of eighteen years, and under the age of forty-five years (except as is herein after excepted) shall severally and respectively be enrolled in the militia, by the Captain or Commanding Officer of the company, within whose bounds such citizen shall reside, and that within twelve months after the passing of this Act."

And further mandated that.....

"every citizen, so enrolled and notified, shall, within six months thereafter, provide himself with a good musket or firelock, a sufficient bayonet and belt, two spare flints, and a knapsack, a pouch, with a box therein, to contain not less than twenty four cartridges, suited to the bore of his musket or firelock, each cartridge to contain a proper quantity of powder and ball; or with a good rifle, knapsack, shot-pouch, and powder-horn, twenty balls suited to the bore of his rifle, and a quarter of a pound of powder; and shall appear so armed, accoutred and provided, when called out to exercise or into service, except, that when called out on company days to exercise only, he may appear without a knapsack."

Holy Batshit!!! Where's Allen West when you need him to call out these Commies?!?!

By:Moonglow1 on 4/13/12 at 9:28

Moonglow1: Live Free or Die takes on a whole new meaning with tea's in charge. They would rather people who cannot afford health care be put to death. That is essentially Paul Ryan's message. Here is your $6k voucher. If you need more healthcare tough!!

This from a guy who accepted years of social security payments because his dad died. Apparently the family was not hurting for money since Ryan's mom was afraid if he didn't get a job he would continue on a permanent path to be a ski bum!

Yep, these teas love their gov't handouts!!

By:Captain Nemo on 4/13/12 at 9:30

History… what the hell is that?

Right-wing nuts-

By:Captain Nemo on 4/13/12 at 9:34

I thought Allen West was Adams West stand-in? ;-}

By:brrrrk on 4/13/12 at 9:38

Moonglow1 said

"This from a guy who accepted years of social security payments because his dad died. Apparently the family was not hurting for money since Ryan's mom was afraid if he didn't get a job he would continue on a permanent path to be a ski bum!"

Not only did he accept that social security, but apparently his family was doing well enough that Ryan was able to save that money and apply it towards the cost of his college education.

"With his father’s passing, young Paul collected Social Security benefits until age 18, which he put away for college. To make ends meet, Paul’s mother returned to school to study interior design."

So, rather than young Paul using that social security money to help the family, his mother just had to work harder?!

http://www.wpri.org/WIInterest/Vol19No2/Schneider19.2.html

By:Moonglow1 on 4/13/12 at 9:39

Moonglow1: Yogi-check out The Washington Post article titled "Polygamous in the Trees. " You will find that Romney was also foreign born as his family was escaping US laws against polygamy. It also provides info on Obama's background.

So in summary, we have two foreign born presidential candidates with polygamy families. I know that will drive you nuts!!! It will give you even more data to ponder.

By:Moonglow1 on 4/13/12 at 9:43

Moonglow1: P. S. If Romney's family was fleeing the USA to escape it's laws, does that make him an insurgent against the United States and thus not eligible for public office? So that leaves Ron Paul by default. What are your thoughts Yogi?

By:Captain Nemo on 4/13/12 at 9:47

I predict that slacker will come to save the day.

yogi will call us idiots and manage to blame Obama for the Great San Francisco Earthquake.

budlight will bless our pea picking hearts and then in her peaking way will tell us to go to hell.

By:bfra on 4/13/12 at 9:51

Moonglow1 - Thoughts? What thoughts? Yogi doesn't have anything to think with, all he has is what he finds on his trash sites to copy & past.

By:brrrrk on 4/13/12 at 10:01

Captain Nemo said

"I predict that slacker will come to save the day.

yogi will call us idiots and manage to blame Obama for the Great San Francisco Earthquake.

budlight will bless our pea picking hearts and then in her peaking way will tell us to go to hell."

And Ben will sell off our natural resources and our environment to big oil for the price of an egg sandwich.....

By:slacker on 4/13/12 at 10:03

Nemo, my cape's in the cleaners...beer stains. Can't operate without it, so i'll be taking the day off. Hope everyone has a nice weekend.

By:Captain Nemo on 4/13/12 at 10:03

bfra-

Copy and Paste; It is more like I read someplace or I hear (sic) someplace.

By:Captain Nemo on 4/13/12 at 10:05

LOL slcker.

By:bfra on 4/13/12 at 10:08

Nemo - You are more correct, I was just allowing a little leeway!

By:Captain Nemo on 4/13/12 at 10:08

You have a good point brrrrk. Egg sandwich…lol

By:Captain Nemo on 4/13/12 at 10:10

In yogi case bfra, it should be breezeway, lots of hot air from that one.

By:Captain Nemo on 4/13/12 at 10:15

Correction;

I predict that slacker will have is cape's cleaned and take the day off.

By:Captain Nemo on 4/13/12 at 10:52

James 5:16-

Come now, you rich, weep and how for your miseries which are coming upon you. Your riches have rotted your garments have become moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure! Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields and which has b...een withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.